FAQ

Program Content & Community

What is the time commitment for the program?

Wednesday from 9AM PST – 1:30PM PST.

What kind of support do founders receive once they join the program?

Founders get support from the EIRs that run the program, assigned mentors matched by StartOut, experts that provide office hours based on different subject matters and the other founders in the Cohort.

For those with non-LGBTQ+ co-founders, what has been the experience of non-LGBTQ+ co-founders in the past?

Experience has been very positive. We have 1 company in the current cohort that has a non-LBGTQ+ founder and their experience has been excellent.

Results & Impact

How old is the program?

The Lab was founded in 2017 and is run by StartOut, the largest nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, now in partnership with DLA Piper, JP Morgan, and Comcast Universal.

How many startups have you supported?

Since our founding, we have supported 56 graduated companies that have raised $763M+ in funding and created over 3,650+ new jobs.

Who are the startups who have graduated from the program?

You can find the full list here.

Timeline & Call for Applications

When will applications open up for Cohort 12?

May 15, 2023

Where do I apply?

In order to apply, please fill out – or update – your founder application on StartOut online community portal. Once you submit your founder application, you will be redirected to a dedicated page with additional questions specific to StartOut Growth Lab.

How long is the program

The program lasts 5 months.

When does the next cohort start?

September 4th, 2023

Is there a fee to join the program?

No fee to join.

Eligibility Criteria

What makes an ideal candidate?

Company or a subsidiary is registered in the US
Product or service is established in the marketplace
Business runway is 9+ months (not a requirement)
Generating revenue
High-growth companies with a path to scalability

What companies are not suited for the Growth Lab?

Consulting services
Cannabis-related, sex-tech, or firearm companies
Brick-and-mortar businesses
Pre-MVP
Non-profit organizations
A company where the founder is not working full-time in the business

What is the typical stage, industry, traction of a startup which is a good fit for the program?

Early-stage, scalable startups are the best fit for our program.

Do you welcome applications worldwide?

Yes, but founders must have their business or subsidiary registered in the US.

Is the program for product- based businesses only or is it suitable for service-based companies?

Both are suitable for the program. However, consulting type businesses are not a fit as they are not very scalable or venture backed.

Is the program accepting applications from non-profit organizations?

Non-profit organizations are not a good fit for this program. However, non-profit organizations can join our regular Founders Program.

Is the program for tech-enabled companies only?

No, non tech-enabled startups can apply.

Do you accept solo founders?

Yes, we accept solo founders, but we do prefer to have co-founder groups. On a side note, one person companies are typically too early stage for the program.

What is the youngest age an applicant can be?

18 years is the youngest age of applicant we will accept.

What constitutes a product launch for the program? Is it current users of an MVP or active users on a product with all of the bells and whistles?

This depends on the situation per company. We like to see applicants have their product in the market transacting. MVP or Pre-MVP tends to be too early for the program.

StartOut Growth Lab is Sponsored by DLA Piper, JP Morgan and Comcast NBCUniversal.